Armed Gangs Storm Jails in Egypt, Military Steps In

Protesters carry flags as they face a battle tank during continous protests in the streets of Cairo, Egypt, 30 January 2011. EPA/BGNES

Four jails were stormed by armed gangs in Egypt on Sunday amidst the continuing civil unrest in the most populous Arab country.

The armed gangs have freed thousands of prisoners, including 34 members of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's radical opposition group, according to accounts cited by international media. At least seven senior militants of the Muslim Brotherhood have escaped among those.

Uncurbed by the police, armed marauders looted and set on fire shopping malls and stores in Cairo and the other bigger cities prompting residents to set up civilian militias for protection.

The Egyptian military has sent in additional troops and armored vehicles in the major cities and has chased and caught some of the freed prisoners; however, the military appears to be unwilling to crack down more tangibly on armed looters out of fear that the continuing protests against the regime of 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak might see this as military repressions.

The protests demanding Mubarak's stepping down have continued along the civil unrest and the unstable situation in the country.

Meanwhile, fearing that Egypt might dissolve into complete chaos, foreign nations and major foreign companies have moved to evacuate their citizens but delays and cancelations have led thousands to be stranded at the Cairo International Airport.

Internet connectivity and mobile phones coverage continued to work sporadically on Sunday after the Egyptian government moved to turn them off on Friday.

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